Taking vitamin D supplements in pregnancy could cut the risk of babies developing schizophrenia in adulthood, a study found.

People born with a deficiency are 44% more likely to suffer the mental illness, Danish researchers said.

They claim that this suggests a lack of vitamin D in mothers-to-be accounts for 8% of cases.

Professor John McGrath, from Aarhus University, said: “As the foetus is reliant on mother’s vitamin D stores, findings suggest ensuring pregnant women have adequate levels may result in the prevention of some schizophrenia cases.”

Shot of a pregnant woman using a laptop at home

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We get most of our vitamin D from sunlight and foods including oily fish, red meat and egg yolks. Schizophrenia runs in families and most often strikes in the late teens and early 20s. The NHS is treating 220,000 sufferers at any one time.